Canon printer not working via USB on MacBook Pro; driver issues

I need help, please. I have a Canon PIMXA G2260 printer and a MacBook Pro running on OS Tahoe 26.5.2. I don't use WiFi because of wireless sensitivities, so I have to connect my printer to my computer via USB, which the Canon G2260 is capable of doing. I can't get the printer to work on my MacBook Pro, however. I have all the current Canon software successfully installed on my computer and have followed all the installation instructions for the printer, but where it goes wrong is when I try to add the printer. My computer has AirPrint, and Canon has told me that the printer will utilize AirPrint, but it won't actually work on my computer. Even though I've clicked AirPrint when trying to add my printer, it's still forcing me to choose a driver, but there are none available for Canon. I can't find any online to download either. Canon customer service basically said this is Apple's fault and Apple told me it's Canon's fault, but both have agreed that the printer should work with my computer. Nobody has helped me though. :(

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 26.5

Posted on Aug 22, 2026 2:40 PM

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Posted on Aug 22, 2026 3:13 PM

Given you’ve gone a lap or two with both Canon and Apple Support, I’d return the printer.


The available specs for that printer indicate Canon tested macOS 10.12.6 to macOS 10.15, which is a while ago.


Printer selection info: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community


I’d likely buy a Brother LED/Laser or multi-function generally, but here with AirPrint, and with wired Ethernet capabilities given your reported Wi-Fi sensitivities, maybe (also) USB-C connectivity (additionally), and would establish a wired network locally, and would connect the Mac to the wired network and then to the printer using an Ethernet dongle.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 22, 2026 3:13 PM in response to JCanan

Given you’ve gone a lap or two with both Canon and Apple Support, I’d return the printer.


The available specs for that printer indicate Canon tested macOS 10.12.6 to macOS 10.15, which is a while ago.


Printer selection info: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community


I’d likely buy a Brother LED/Laser or multi-function generally, but here with AirPrint, and with wired Ethernet capabilities given your reported Wi-Fi sensitivities, maybe (also) USB-C connectivity (additionally), and would establish a wired network locally, and would connect the Mac to the wired network and then to the printer using an Ethernet dongle.

Aug 22, 2026 7:29 PM in response to JCanan

"Canon printer not working via USB on MacBook Pro; driver issues"

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Troubleshooting Printer Issues:


A. Get the Correct Drivers:

First off, where did you get these drivers? You should get the drivers from the Manufacturer, and none other, as a way to avoid scams and the like.


B. Remove, then Reinstall:

Remove the printer, restart your Mac, and then and then reinstall it with the correct drivers.


C. Restart After an Install:

After making any major change to your Mac, be certain you perform a restart. That way, things are syncing and caches are how they should be.

Aug 22, 2026 8:45 PM in response to JCanan

Canon Support – MegaTank PIXMA G2260

About AirPrint - Apple Support


Canon's specifications say the printer supports "AirPrint (PC only)". Apple's AirPrint database has an entry for a Canon G2260, which is listed as a USB-only printer that works with AirPrint. So presumably this printer can work using AirPrint protocol over USB – much as my Canon printer (a different model) now does.


In fact, I see no indication on the Canon site that this printer has Wi-Fi capabilities at all.


You may want to review

Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac - Apple Support


Also, I would suggest having the Canon printer turned on, and connected by a cable to your Mac, when you try to add it.

Aug 22, 2026 3:21 PM in response to MrHoffman

I may have to do that if nothing else works. I was hoping to get a printer that has refillable ink tanks, as I homeschool and we use the printer a lot. I couldn't keep up with the cost of having to buy new ink cartridges all the time when I had an older printer, due to how much we print, which is why I bought the Canon with which to begin. I don't know much about the LED/laser printers but I can certainly look into them. Part of the reason I bought the Canon, despite it being a bit older, is because Canon told me it would work on my computer and their website has updated software for my OS version, indicating that it will work as well. Sometimes I hate technology.


Thank you for your advice.

Aug 22, 2026 4:44 PM in response to JCanan

Inkjets tend to be more expensive than the LED/Laser printing costs, but do check the page printing costs for the various printers of interest. Inkjet can be better for photos given the right ink and the right paper, but I prefer LED/Laser for the rest.


The oldest Brother (MFC-class color multifunction) printer around here is most of twenty years old, and is old enough to lack AirPrint support. The LCD display is slowly washing out. But it just works from macOS, and from other gear, with IPP and other common printing protocols, as well as with the Brother apps. The others of my acquaintance are the same way.


Brother cartridge prices are neither inexpensive nor extortionate.


And you’re probably best headed for a wired network installation here given no Wi-Fi, rather than trying to string together other options. Brother has models with Ethernet connectivity. Yeah, USB is around, too.

Aug 22, 2026 8:58 PM in response to MrHoffman

MrHoffman wrote:
Inkjets tend to be more expensive than the LED/Laser printing costs, but do check the page printing costs for the various printers of interest. Inkjet can be better for photos given the right ink and the right paper, but I prefer LED/Laser for the rest.


I believe that the OP's printer uses ink tanks, instead of much smaller ink cartridges.


That seems to be a trend with ink jet printers these days – when I go into office stores, I see a number of ink tank models that have [Page] Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow – but not so much photo printers which have separate gray ink or 'light' inks (something that was common a few years ago).

Aug 22, 2026 11:21 PM in response to Servant of Cats

You are absolutely correct. The information you provided about the printer working with AirPrint is what I found too, which is why I bought it. Canon's customer service still insists that it does, but is placing the blame on Apple. Apple maintains that Canon's printer is not right. Sigh.


You're also correct about it not having WiFi capabilities. There is absolutely no way to connect it to the internet, as far as I'm aware. I haven't even seen a place to utilize an Ethernet cable on it. Unfortunately, I have had the printer connected to my Mac by a USB cable the entire time (while on) but it hasn't helped. I feel a bit crazy at this point, and I really don't want to go spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy new printer just because it has WiFi capabilities that I'll never use. I just want a basic printer that prints my kid's schoolwork but uses ink tanks because they are so much more cost-effective. I'm actually thinking about making a Genius Bar appointment and bringing my computer and printer with me to have the experts set it up for me. I don't know if they would do so, or if they would have any more luck than I have had, but it would surely make me feel better about not being able to figure it out. Haha!


Thank you for your help! I will definitely be checking out the links you posted. I can't remember all the links I've read up to this point, so some of those may be new to me.

Canon printer not working via USB on MacBook Pro; driver issues

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